Tourists are returning souvenir rocks to a Bay of Plenty island to avoid being cursed with bad luck.
Tuhua, or Mayor, Island near Tauranga is home to a large amount of obsidian, a dark volcanic rock prized by early Maori for cutting tools and weapons.
Local Maori have warned the rock is sacred and removing it could bring bad luck.
Tourists have heeded the warning, sending chunks to Aerius Helicopters, which runs flights to the island, and asking them to return them.
Aerius manager Shane Jeffcoat returned six pieces last week and another two people have since contacted him.
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